Portable system for assisting body movement

Abstract

The present invention provides a differential pressure body suit with external support against body suit migration. In its preferred embodiment, such body suit may comprise a close-fitting, multi-layered suit sealed against a mammal's skin to contain the differential pressure, or a looser-fitting suit that bends at the mammal's joints with minimal force. External support means include either fixed or movable mechanical supports attached to the body suit, extraordinary air pressure levels for making the body suit rigid, or exoskeletons attached to the body suit. A cyclic control system can turn the differential pressure condition within the body suit on and off on a selective basis to accommodate the movement of the legs of the mammal.

We claim: 
     
       1. A system for assisting the motion of or supporting a body of a mammal having a body weight during a treatment procedure, such system comprising:
 (a) a pressure-tight suit made from flexible fabric adapted to being worn over all or a portion of one or more of the mammal's body parts consisting of a torso, leg, or arm, the pressure-tight suit having at least one opening around the mammal's torso, leg, arm, or a neck for accommodation by the pressure-tight suit of the body parts; 
 (b) each opening of the pressure-tight suit having connected adjacent thereto a pressure-tight seal for operative engagement of a body part surface of the mammal; 
 (c) inlet means in the suit for introduction of at least one source of a positive pressure to an interior of the suit between the mammal body parts and the suit to create a differential pressure condition therein between the positive pressure condition inside the suit, and a pressure condition existing outside the suit; 
 (d) support means separate from the suit connected to the suit for counteracting a downwards force applied to the suit when it is placed under the differential pressure condition; 
 (e) whereby the differential pressure condition exerts an upwards force upon the body to offload a portion of the weight of the body to the support means. 
 
     
     
       2. The assisted motion system of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment procedure for the pressure-tight suit comprises exercise or training. 
     
     
       3. The assisted motion system of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment procedure for the pressure-tight suit comprises rehabilitation of an injury or to assist mobility. 
     
     
       4. The assisted motion system of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment procedure for the pressure-tight suit comprises reducing weight on a muscle skeletal structure of the mammal. 
     
     
       5. The assisted motion system of  claim 1 , wherein the treatment procedure for the pressure-tight suit comprises maintaining proper posture of a muscle skeletal structure of the mammal. 
     
     
       6. The assisted motion system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one source of positive pressure is provided by a pressurized gas. 
     
     
       7. The assisted motion system of  claim 6 , wherein the pressurized gas comprises air. 
     
     
       8. The assisted motion system of  claim 6 , wherein the pressurized gas comprises nitrogen at a higher concentration than is naturally found in air. 
     
     
       9. The assisted motion system of  claim 6 , wherein the pressurized gas comprises carbon dioxide at a higher concentration than is naturally found in air. 
     
     
       10. The assisted motion system of  claim 6 , wherein the pressurized gas comprises argon at a higher concentration than is naturally found in air. 
     
     
       11. The assisted motion system of  claim 1 , wherein the source of positive pressure is portable. 
     
     
       12. The assisted motion system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one source of positive pressure is produced by energy expended by the mammal. 
     
     
       13. The assisted motion system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one source of positive pressure is produced by a foot-driven air pump operatively connected to a foot of the mammal. 
     
     
       14. The assisted motion system of  claim 1  further comprising means within the pressure-tight suit for regulating an air temperature within the suit. 
     
     
       15. The assisted motion system of  claim 1  further comprising means within the pressure-tight suit for regulating a humidity level within the suit. 
     
     
       16. The assisted motion system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure-tight suit closely fits the mammal's body parts. 
     
     
       17. The assisted motion system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure-tight suit loosely fits the mammal's body part. 
     
     
       18. The assisted motion system of  claim 17 , wherein the loose-fitting pressure-tight suit comprises at least one joint for encompassing a joint within a muscle skeletal structure of the mammal. 
     
     
       19. The assisted motion system of  claim 18 , wherein the pressure-tight suit joint is a constant-volume joint. 
     
     
       20. The assisted motion system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure-tight suit comprises multiple layers of material. 
     
     
       21. The assisted motion system of  claim 20 , wherein at least one layer comprises an inner vent layer. 
     
     
       22. The assisted motion system of  claim 20 , wherein at least one layer comprises an air pressure resistant layer. 
     
     
       23. The assisted motion system of  claim 20 , wherein at least one layer comprises a fabric layer for restraining the downwards force applied by the positive pressure source to the pressure-tight suit. 
     
     
       24. The assisted motion system of  claim 23 , wherein the restraining layer constrains an application of circumferential force to the pressure-tight suit. 
     
     
       25. The assisted motion system of  claim 23 , wherein the restraining layer constrains an application of longitudinal force to the pressure-tight suit. 
     
     
       26. The assisted motion system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one layer of material within the pressure-tight suit is extensible along a first axis, and non-extensible along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. 
     
     
       27. The assisted motion system of  claim 26 , wherein the non-extensible axis of the material in the layer is oriented relative to the body to follow the lines of non-extension on the skin of the body that are oriented approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. 
     
     
       28. The assisted motion system of  claim 26 , wherein the non-extensible axis of the material in the layer is oriented relative to the body to follow the lines of non-extension on the skin of the body that are oriented approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body. 
     
     
       29. The assisted motion system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure-tight seal comprises an airproof elastic sleeve. 
     
     
       30. The assisted motion system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure-tight seal comprises an airproof band. 
     
     
       31. The assisted motion system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure-tight seal comprises are airproof pair of shorts attached to the interior of the pressure-tight suit adjacent to a sealing location. 
     
     
       32. The assisted motion system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure-tight seal comprises an inflatable air tube seal. 
     
     
       33. The assisted motion system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure-tight seal comprises an air bladder. 
     
     
       34. The assisted motion system of  claim 1  for the mammal having an upper body and lower body and feet, wherein the pressure-tight suit is sealed around a dividing circumference between the upper body and lower body of the mammal, and extends down the lower body to cover the feet of the mammal. 
     
     
       35. The assisted motion system of  claim 1  for the mammal having a waist and lower body and ankles, wherein the pressure-tight suit is sealed around the waist of the mammal, and extends down the lower body to seal around the ankles of the mammal. 
     
     
       36. The assisted motion system of  claim 1  for the mammal having a waist and lower body and knees, wherein the pressure-tight suit is sealed around the waist of the mammal, and extends down the lower body to seal around the knees of the mammal. 
     
     
       37. The assisted motion system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure-tight suit comprises separate leg units, each leg unit being sealed around a thigh of the mammal, and extending down a lower body to seal around an ankle of the mammal. 
     
     
       38. The assisted motion system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure-tight suit comprises separate leg units, each leg unit being sealed around a thigh of the mammal, and extending down a lower body to seal around a knee of the mammal. 
     
     
       39. The assisted motion system of  claim 1  for the mammal having a chest and lower body and feet, wherein the pressure-tight suit is sealed around the chest of the mammal, and extends down the lower body to cover the feet of the mammal. 
     
     
       40. The assisted motion system of  claim 1  for the mammal having an upper body, wherein the pressure-tight suit covers the upper body of the mammal. 
     
     
       41. The assisted motion system of  claim 40  for the mammal having an upper body and waist and neck and arms, wherein the pressure-tight suit covering the upper body of the mammal is sealed above the waist and adjacent to the neck and arms of the mammal. 
     
     
       42. The assisted motion system of  claim 1  for the mammal having a waist, wherein the pressure-tight suit is operatively connected to a rigid band on the support means of the assisted motion system for encircling the waist of the mammal wearing the suit. 
     
     
       43. The assisted motion system of  claim 1 , wherein the support means separate from the suit is a mobile external frame. 
     
     
       44. The assisted motion system of  claim 43 , wherein the support means separate from the suit comprises at least two wheels. 
     
     
       45. The assisted motion system of  claim 44 , wherein the support means separate from the suit comprises a wheel substantially ahead of the mammal, and a wheel substantially behind the mammal. 
     
     
       46. The assisted motion system of  claim 45  further comprising means for steering or braking the support means. 
     
     
       47. The assisted motion system of  claim 44 , wherein the support means separate from the suit comprises a cart or walker device. 
     
     
       48. The assisted motion system of  claim 1 , wherein the support means separate from the suit comprises a stationary frame. 
     
     
       49. The assisted motion system of  claim 48 , wherein the stationary frame support means enables a mammal wearing the pressurized suit to use a treadmill, stair-master, orbital trainer, cross-country ski trainer, or other exercise apparatus. 
     
     
       50. The assisted motion system of  claim 48 , wherein the stationary frame support means accommodates lateral or longitudinal movement of the mammal wearing the pressurized suit. 
     
     
       51. The assisted motion system of  claim 48 , wherein the stationary frame support means accommodates vertical movement of the mammal wearing the pressurized suit. 
     
     
       52. The assisted motion system of  claim 51 , wherein the stationary frame support means comprises means for providing a constant force to support the vertical downwards force applied by the pressurized suit connected to the support means, while accommodating the vertical movement of the mammal's body. 
     
     
       53. The assisted motion system of  claim 52  further comprising a means for maintaining a balance between the force exerted by the pressurized suit, and the force exerted by a constant-force adjustment mechanism as the pressure condition is changed within the suit. 
     
     
       54. The assisted motion system of  claim 53 , wherein the adjustment mechanism is an air cylinder. 
     
     
       55. The assisted motion system of  claim 53 , wherein the adjustment mechanism is a mechanical spring. 
     
     
       56. The assisted motion system of  claim 53 , wherein the adjustment mechanism is an air spring. 
     
     
       57. The assisted motion system of  claim 1 , wherein the mammal to which the pressure-tight suit is adapted is a human. 
     
     
       58. The assisted motion system of  claim 1 , wherein the mammal to which the pressure-tight suit is adapted is a four-legged animal. 
     
     
       59. The assisted motion system of  claim 1  further comprising a bladder attached to an interior of the pressure-tight suit positioned between the suit and the body part, wherein the positive pressure introduced into the interior of the suit is contained within the bladder. 
     
     
       60. The assisted motion system of  claim 1 , wherein a first layer of material within the pressure-tight suit is extensible along a first axis, and non-extensible along a second axis perpendicular to its own first axis, and a second layer of material within the pressure-tight suit is extensible along a first axis, and non-extensible along a second axis perpendicular to its own first axis. 
     
     
       61. The assisted motion system of  claim 60 , wherein the non-extensible axis of one of the layers is oriented relative to the body to follow the lines of non-extension on the skin of the body that are aligned approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body, and the non-extensible axis of the other layer is oriented relative to the body to follow the lines of non-extension on the skin of the body that are aligned approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body. 
     
     
       62. The assisted motion system of  claim 60 , wherein the non-extensible direction of the material of the one layer does not coincide with the non-extensible direction of the other layer. 
     
     
       63. The assisted motion system of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure-tight suit made from flexible fabric does not incorporate rigid support members that counteract a downwards force applied to the suit when it is placed under the differential pressure condition. 
     
     
       64. A method for reducing groin numbness in a human having a lower body part, who is riding a bicycle, comprising:
 (a) providing a pressure-tight suit worn over all or a portion of one or more body parts of the human consisting of the torso or leg, the pressure-tight suit having:
 (i) at least one opening around the human's torso or leg for accommodating the covered body parts; 
 (ii) each opening of the pressure-tight suit having connected adjacent thereto a pressure-tight seal for operative engagement of the body part surface of the human; 
 (iii) inlet means in the suit for introduction of at least one source of positive pressure or vacuum to an interior of the suit between the human body parts and the suit to create a differential pressure condition between the positive pressure or vacuum condition inside the suit, and a pressure condition existing outside the suit; 
 
 (b) providing support means extending from the bicycle and connected to the suit for counteracting a downwards force applied to the suit when it is placed under the differential pressure condition; 
 (c) providing the at least one source of positive pressure or vacuum to the interior of the suit; 
 (d) whereby the differential pressure condition exerts an upwards force upon the lower body to offload a portion of the weight of the body to the support means and bicycle. 
 
     
     
       65. The method of  claim 64 , wherein the support means comprises a rigid exoskeleton. 
     
     
       66. A system for assisting the motion of or supporting a body of a mammal having a body weight during a treatment procedure, such system comprising:
 (a) a pressure-tight suit adapted to being worn over all or a portion of the upper body of the mammal consisting of the torso or arm, the pressure-tight suit having at least one opening around the mammal's torso, neck, or arm for accommodation by the pressure-tight suit of the covered body parts; 
 (b) each opening of the pressure-tight suit having connected adjacent thereto a pressure-tight seal for operative engagement of the body part surface of the mammal; 
 (c) inlet means in the suit for introduction of at least one source of vacuum to an interior of the suit between the mammal body parts and the suit to create a differential pressure condition therein between the vacuum condition inside the suit, and a pressure condition existing outside the suit; 
 (d) support means separate from the suit connected to the suit for counteracting a downwards force applied to the suit when it is placed under the differential pressure condition; 
 (e) whereby the differential pressure condition exerts an upwards force upon the body to offload a portion of the weight of the body to the support means. 
 
     
     
       67. The assisted motion system of  claim 66 , wherein the at least one source of vacuum is provided by a vacuum pump.